Trustee Dame Resignation - 08/09/23 Board Meeting

It was a tremendous honor to be elected in 2016, and a greater honor to be re-elected in 2020 with more votes than I received in 2016. My steadfast effort to achieve transparency and fiscal responsibility resonated with the good people of Norvell Township.

This past Independence Day, I reflected on the Declaration of Independence that started this great experiment in self-governance, and the Founding Fathers who created our system of government that Abraham Lincoln summed up as a “Government Of the People, By the People, For the People.

The founding fathers intended the citizenry pay attention to their government and stay informed.

In 1789, Thomas Jefferson stated:

"Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights."

Thomas Jefferson to Richard Price, January 8, 1789

Benjamin Franklin said:

“It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority.”

During my 6 years and 9 months as Trustee, I have endeavored to inform the public of governmental matters, to empower the people to take action. And it’s no secret that I questioned authority.

George Washington said, “Truth will ultimately prevail where pain is taken to bring it to light.”

In fighting for transparency in government, I have paid the price in bringing the truth to light. I have been slandered and libeled. But I wasn’t deterred because I believe in fighting for the people. After all, it is the people I was elected to serve. I don’t work for the Board, and I definitely do not work for this Supervisor.

George Washington said:

“Occupants of public offices love power and are prone to abuse it.”

To Washington’s point, I was recently a victim of a conspiracy where members of this Board violated the ‘purchasing policy’ in secret, and then squandered almost $2,000 of taxpayer resources in the attempt to remove me from office.

John Adams said, “Always stand on principle even if you stand alone.”
For too many years I have stood alone on principle.

Unfortunately, Personal family circumstances have arisen, and as a result my wife and I had to make some tough decisions. Family comes first. We will be moving out of Norvell, for the time being.

The family still owns property in Norvell, so you never know what the future will bring, but for now, since we will soon no longer be residents of Norvell Township, Michigan State Law dictates that I will have to resign my position as Trustee, effective at midnight tonight.

Although I will no longer be an elected official in Norvell Township, I will still be an advocate for family members and friends who reside in Norvell.

With that said, I hand my official resignation to the Clerk.